Colman Brothers, Mind The Baby

Brothers Matt and Andrew Colman play trombone and trumpet respectively. The pair, from Bristol, have been writing music that combines traditional latin and jazz flavours with contemporary beats and the kind of horn power you would expect from this duo of brass masters.

Matt Colman is a trombonist who has played with artists as varied as The Herbaliser, Chris Bowden, Pee Wee Ellis, Shola Ama, Ben E. King, 4-Hero, Black Grape and Suggs; whilst young Andrew Colman, trumpet and flugelhorn genius, has not only held his own with Corrine Bailey Rae, Peter King and Perry Hemus, but was previously voted the Young Jazz Musician of the Year!

They came up with “El Nino” whilst listening to an album by German composer and band leader, Peter Herbolzheimer, famous for his Rhythm Combination and Brass. The result was a dope, bluesy latin joint, with a more sultry twist on the Cha Cha Mix and a suitably uplifting, be-bop influence on the Big Band Edit.

Their eponymous debut LP, released on the highly commendable Wah Wah 45s record label, is at once a tribute to the Colman Brothers’ heroes, such as Dizzy Gillespie (on the track “Mr. D.G.”) Freddie Hubbard and Francy Bolland, but it isn’t all about the dance floor tracks such as the eerily cinematic “The Chief”, the evocative “On A Better Day”, and the luscious “Some Other Wonder” (featuring Colman Sister Sara) are far more restrained but equally inviting pieces. With huge support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music, Peter Young on Jazz FM and many more following in their wake!